Learning Communities and Librarians at Arizona State University Sheila J. Young Engineering Librarian Jennifer M. Duvernay Coordinator of Instruction, Outreach and Marketing

“Father of Learning Communities” University of Wisconsin Alexander Meiklejohn: “Father of Learning Communities” University of Wisconsin (1928-1932) Experimental College Alexander Meiklejohn (1872-1964) Source: Meiklejohn. 1932. The Experimental College. Available:http://digital.library.wisc.edu./1711.dl/UW.MeikExpColl

Learning Communities: Integration Student learning communities are classes that are linked or clustered during an academic term, often around an interdisciplinary - transdisciplinary theme, and enroll a common cohort of students. Source: Washington Center for Improving the Quality of Undergraduate Education http://www.evergreen.edu/washcenter/lcfaq.htm#21

Building Community Student Faculty Student Faculty A variety of approaches are used to build student learning communities, all intended to restructure the students’ time, credit, and learning experiences to build community among students, between students and their teachers, and among faculty members and disciplines Adapted from MacGregor, Matthews, Smith & Gabelnick, 2002 http://learningcommons.evergreen.edu/docs/LCmodels.ppt

Types of Learning Communities Student Cohort/ Integrated Seminar Linked Courses/ Course Clusters Fully Integrated Course of Study Student Cohort: Small cohort of students enrolls in larger classes that faculty do not coordinate. Intellectual connections and community building take place in an integrative seminar Linked Courses: Two or more courses, linked thematically or by content, that a cohort of students takes together. Faculty do plan the courses collaboratively Fully Integrated: A team of faculty deliver course work that is embedded in an integrated program of study to a group of students. Source: Washington Center for Improving the Quality of Undergraduate Education http://www.evergreen.edu/washcenter/lcfaq.htm#21

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Learning Communities

CLAS Learning Community Goals Integration of Knowledge Transition to College Level Learning Connections Between and Among Students and Instructors Curricular coherence: integration of ideas Understanding issues that cross disciplinary boundaries Promote active and collaborative learning Explore and understand diverse perspectives Source: Faculty Handbook http://clas.asu.edu/facultystaff/classroomresources/lcresources/handbook/

CLAS Learning Community Goals Integration of Knowledge Transition to College Level Learning Connections Between and Among Students and Instructors Information Literacy Writing Oral presentation skills “Extra Time on Task” Curricular coherence: integration of ideas Understanding issues that cross disciplinary boundaries Promote active and collaborative learning Explore and understand diverse perspectives Source: Faculty Handbook http://clas.asu.edu/facultystaff/classroomresources/lcresources/handbook/

Example Learning Community Themes Human Disease and Society War, Culture and Memory Creating a Sustainable Environment for the Future From Slavery to Hurricane Katrina (New Orleans) Thinking Globally Medicine, Science and Public Policy (Sophomore)

Instructional Teams Faculty Teaching Assistants Librarians Peer Mentors Tutors

Living / Learning Designated Space Former learning community students as Resident Assistants Classrooms

Librarian as Team Members Participates in planning/development for community Included as Instructor Information Literacy Liaison

Human Disease and Society Multiple instruction sessions Active learning Iterative process Multiple contact methods (IM, email, office) Blackboard presence Discussion board Integrated seminar attendance Attend student presentations Research paper grading Blackboard: Web page, handouts, RefWorks link

HDS: Information Literacy Learning Outcomes Sources of Information Activity: Popular/Scholarly Article Comparison Information Evaluation Activity: Worksheet Information Ethics Activity: Plagiarism Case Study Activity: Citation Flash Cards

Librarian Impact “Librarians have made such a large difference within the learning communities … they are able to link students to information and sources that they do not know about before … I know that whenever I am between a rock and a hard place, I can always find a helping hand within the library.” - LC Student

Conclusion Develop closer relationships with faculty, students, and other campus units Promote information literacy skills and library resources Contribute to learner centered initiatives Campus units: Residence halls, Learning Resource Center/Tutors; Writing Program